Machine for recording and reproducing sound



May 22, 1923.

F. DOWN E MACHINE FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING SOUND Filed June so. v191@ 4 sheets-shea 1 K l 5331! camedia.

.ih/V..

May 242, v1923.

F. W. DOWNE- MACHINE FOR RECORDING ND REPRODUCING SOUND l Filed June 20, 1916 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 22, 1923. l 1,456,180

' F. W. DOWNE MACHINE FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING SOUND Filed June 2o, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @Ho/L11 c May 22, 1923. I 1,456,l80

- E. w. DowNE MACHINE FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING SOUND Filed June4 2o. 191e 4 sheets-sheet 4 naam: w. nowNE, Yor

san rnnncrsco, CALIFORNIA, Assrenon To lirncnnnrcar.v

rnnrncrnve conrona'rron.

MACHINE FOB RECORDING AND -BEPBODUCI'TNG SOUND.

Application and 'rune au, 1916. serial No. 104,656.

To ail whom t may concern: I

Beit known that l, FRANK Downn, a subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, residin y at the cit and county of San VFrancisco, tState of `aliornia, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in a Machine for Recording andl Reprodncing Sound, of which the following is a speciiication. f l Y My invention relates to-a machine for recording and reproducing sound, and in the embodiment shown, is 'adapted tor rek'which may be briefly described asollowsL.

cording speech on a rotating cylinder and for reproducing speech on the same instrument. As machines for recording and re-Y producing sounds are now well known in the art and consist of certain essential parts to witz-a' recordingcylinder upon which a sound record may be made; means for ro-V -tating the recordinglcylinder; a sound box; 'a recording stylus; a reproducing stylus; means for moving the sound box along the sound record; and means for moving the respectivestyli into-and out o operative position to-record or reproduce, as desired- I will not enter -into any extended description of the "parts enumerated, but merely refer to them for the purpose of identification, andl coniine the description to those features which I, believeto be new and original with me.

The features of novelty7 'which vI con sider new and desire tosecurefbyLetters Patent, are: First: The construction of thecase which contains orsupports the operative parts.

Second: The construction and location of' v.the mechanism on the iront of the case which controls the operation of the'motor device.

Third The construction of the' mechanism for supporting the record cylinder.A

Fourth: The construction of the mechanism for taking up the wear of the bearings of the mechanism-which supports .and rotatesthe record cylinder.l 1

Fifth: The construction of the sound box and the mechanism acting in conjunction-therewith, by reason of which the recording or reproducing stylus is thrown, as desired, into operative position relative to the record cylinder.

Sixth: The construction of the mecha- "n-ism whereby the sound box and its support may be quickly moved at'will 1o ngi V .tudinally of the record cylinder.

. Seventh: The construction lof the mechanism whereby -the sound box and its support may he given a step-by-step movement der.

Vin either direction along the record cylin# Y Eighth; The construction ofthe mecha-* I nism wherebyA printed indications are im pressed upon a slip of paper carrying a scale, indicative to the person reproducing .from the cylinder, the characteristics of therecord on the cylinder, or acts to be performed by the person effecting the repro` duction. I

`Ninth; The construction of theV mechanism, whereby removal ofthe cylinder from the machine cannot be eecteduntil the Styli carried by the sound box, are moved out of relation with the record cylinder.

The above are the main features of novelty embodied in my improved machine. Other features of novelty exist, which will be referred to in the spec1ficationseparately vor in connection with such enumerated :Eea-4 tures.' Y

The accompanymg drawings l will serve toillustrate my invention, in which, Fig. 1 is a front elevation, the parts being shown in section in Yorder to illustrate the means employed .for mounting and driving the record cylinder. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the lineA II-II of'Fig. 1. `ig. 3 is a face view of the upper side of the `top portion Vof the machine. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line Ill-IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa detailedview showing the spacing mechanism, with the spacing pawls in a diii'erent position from that shown in Fig. 4. Fig. `6 is an end view and villustrates in full and. dotted lines the re-V spective positions of the devices used to prevent removal of the record cylinder dur- `ing certain positions of the sound box. Fig. A7 is a. .transverse section, taken aproximately 0n the lineVIL-VII of Fig. 4.

ig-8 Ais a'longitudinal section taken approximately on the line VIII--VII of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 isa sectional Velevation of the device employed in connection with the machine for determining the current fed to the electric motor whichv actuates the record cylinderoi the machine. Fig.` 10, is a horizontal section taken on the line X-V-X o F ig. '9. Fig. 11 is adetailed view of the ing the current.

box B and a support for the sound recordin' and reproducing mechanism.

ituated on the front of part C, is a plate E, and arranged on this plate is a switch F for controlling the motor andv also a speed regulating device G, and an air controlling device H for the motor. The )late E may be omitted, and the devices F, H, may be directly mounted upon the portion C of the frame. The front portion of the frame C is inclined, as shown in Fig. 2.' surface of the frame C has formed in it a concaved receptacle I, which is inclined in a downward direction from left to'right of Fig. 1, from the point J to the point K. The purpose of this receptacle I is to receive particles of the record cylinder as they are cut oil' by the recording stylus.' The particles which accumulate in this receptacle may be -swept .out by means of a brush moved from the end J to the end K. I do not consider this cavity I as an essential element, as the top .of the case maybe formed fiat, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and a pan as usually employed, used to re ceive the particles.

Projecting upward from the opposite ends of the frame, are two vertical standards L M. These standards are provided with forwardly projecting arms N-O (see Fig.v

3) which serve as a support for a recessed plate P, adapted to carry aA series of strips of pa er Q on each of which is printed a scale Arranged in front of the plate F, to which it is secured, is a second scale S. The purpose ofthe strips of paper and the scales will be hereafter explained.

The standard M has formed in it, a slot T, and in this slot is located a curved arm U, which is mounted on the end of a twisted strip V, which has its bearings in. the standards L M. The purpose of the twisted strip andthe arm U, and its relation to the other parts of the device, will be hereinafter described.

Projecting upward from the left hand side of the frame C is a standard IV, in`

which is formed a bearing X for a spindle Y upon which the record cylinder is mounted. Supported hy and having its bearings in thc standards LMM is a threaded shaft Z, upon which the sound box carriage is mounted. As the mechanism which is used to drive the shaft Z and to move the sound box longitudinally along the recordv cylinder.

The upper' presents no features of novelty, I will merely refer to it generally. Such mechanism is located in the lower portion B of the case, and consists of a motor 5, speed regulator 6, controlled by the speed regulating device G on the outside of the case, an electric switch 7, controlled 'by the switch F on the Ioutside of the case, an air control device 8, controlled by the air control H on the outside of the case. The air control device 8, controlled by the air control H as'more clearly shown in Figure 1, operates as a pneumatically operated clutch for engaging and disengaging the belt. 9 and pullbcy carrying the same from the motor shaft. The movement of the motor is transmitted through a belt 9 to a pulley 10 mounted on'the spindle Y. Mo-

tion is communicated from the spindle Y to shaft Z, by means of the gear 11 mounted on spindle Y and interposed gears 12-13-14, which have their bearings in the standard L, and gear 15 mounted on shaft Z (see Fig.-2). 'Iphe pulley 10 is provided with a hub'l6, in which are a series Vof spaced recesses 17. `In each of these recesses 1s a spring 18, and in front ofthesprings, hard steel pins 19. These pins bear against the outer surface of the gear 11, which latter has suitable connection with the spindle Y, as by the spline connection 11a. The object of this arrangement is to take up any' wear between the inside of' the' standard 'W and a collar 20 on the in front of the plate 2 1, vis a disc 24. in

which are formed three openings 25, registeringI with the openings 22. The disc 24 is normally pressed against the plate 21 by a coiled spring 26 surrounding the spindle Y, which bears at one end upon the disc 24, and at the other end upon a ring 27. surrounding the spindlerY. The ring `27 'is held in position by means of a. pin 28 situated in front of the ring 2]", .v and projecting ,from the spindle Y.

Mounted upona-nd enclosing the rightv hand end ofthe spindle Y, is a tube or sleeve 29. formed with a transverse iange 30, in which are three equally spaced openings 31.- The tube 29 is slidably and non-rotatably mounted on the spindle Y, in position with the openings 31 registering with the openings 25 in the, disc 24, by suitable means.

slot 32, and located in this slot and connected to the spindle Y, is a screw 33. The outer end of the tube 29 is provided with a concave finger-plate 34, and situated between the inner side of this .plate and the end of the spindle Y is a spring 35. Arranged at equidistant points around the spindle Y, are rods 36. The left hand ends of these rods are supported in the openings in the disc 24, and the ri ht hand ends in the openings 31 of the p ate 430. The left hand ends vof the rods 36 project through the openings 25 and each bears against onearm of one of the bell-cranks 23, the .other arm of the bell-cranks bearing against the left hand surface of the disc 24. These rods constitute a mandrel on which is mounted the record cylinder 37.

Record cylinders as usually made are pro'- vided on the interior, with projections such as 38, which engage the rods. The exterior of the cylinder is of uniform diameter; the interior is of decreasing diameter, from the left hand end to the right hand end.

The rods 36 are disposed so as to incline from th e left to the right, and normally have approximatelyl thejsame inclination as the in teriorfiof the record cylinder. When the tube 2 9 is pushed inward, and .the rods are advanced to the left, the inclinationof the rods andv interior of-the cylinder will naturally tendto cause the rods to separate from the cylinder, the eiect of this being to free the rods from the interior of thelatter. The operation 'of the support for the record cylinder will now be understood. The cylinder is inserted over the rods 36, the left hand end-of the cylinder abutting' against the disc 24. When thespindle Y is rotated, the record cylinder is rotated with it. 'When it is desired to remove the record cylinder, the tube 29 is pushed inward, and acting uponvthe rods 3 6, forces them inward, i. e., toward `the left. The ends of the rods impinge upon the inner arms of the bellcranks 23, pushing them to the left and forcing the outer arms of the bell-cranks to the right against the disc 24, and through the disc against the left handend of the record cylinder, therebyforcing it to 'the right and off of the rods 3 6. When the cylinder has moved a short distance to the right, the tube 29 isreleased, which permits it to move toits.

rst posi-tion. The cylinderand rodsbeing now-separated from each other, the cylinder may be .removed by theoperator,

I do not limit myself in any wise to the -use of the mechanism described for supporting the record cylinder, as many other devices may be used. The particular advan tage ofthe construction described, consists in the fact that the device can be cheaply made and combines an eiiicient su port and holding device for the record cy der,`as

well as 'means for ejecting the cylinderfrommi the support, when desired.

Loosely mounted on a tube 9 xed at its ends in thestandards which partially encloses the shaft Z, is af carriage 40-the carriage being in the main of usual construction and mountedto slide'onthe tube in any approved manner.` The,fcar riage 40 is provided with two arms, -one'of which, 41, projects to the left, considering the machine from the point of view of Figs;

2, Gand 7 and the other offwhich, 42', pro- Mounted on the arm jects downwardly. 41 is a sound box 43. The right hand'end of the-sound box 43 is provided With'a fixed arm 44, which extends transversely of the record cylinder and is suitably guided and supported in a slot45 in arm 41 of the carriage 40. The right hand lower side of the arm 44 is provided with a rack 46, which coacts with a pinion segment 47 mounted on the lower end of a lever 48, pivotally mounted on a sleeve 40 forming part of the carriage 40, and which encloses the tube 39. As the lever '48 is moved in either di- `.rection, the sound box moves transversely of the record cylinder ina corresponding direction, either toward or away from the arm -41 according tothe direction of movement of the lever, the purpose of which arrange` vment will be hereafter described. y l

' Pivotally connected to the sound box through an arm 49 projecting fromlthef..

sound box, is a diaphragm 50. Connected Kto'the uppersideof the diaphragm is ajtube 51 which' communicates with a tube 52'con: nected to the top of the sound box. On the end of the tube 52 is a mouth piece 53. Con-1 nected to the lower side of the diaphragm V50,- Aare the styli 54-55. Projecting from vthe right hand of the upper side of the diaphragm 50, is an arm 56, which coacts with a cam lever 57, pivoted at one end to the arm 44 of the sound box 43, The lower side of this pawl is curved to form a rise or cam 57a, and rests on a pin 58 projecting horizontally from the body-of the carriage 40.

The operation of the lever 48 will now be readily understood. When the lever Vis in the position shown in Fig. 7, the sound box is moved outward to the left and -the stylus is in contact with the record cylinder. lVhen the lever 48 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2the sound box is'moved inward, and the stylus 54 is in contact with the record cylinder. When the lever 48 'is in the central position shown. in Fig. 6, the parts take a midway position, with the cam 57 resting on the pin 58 ;l the pawl 57 being thus thrown upward, neither of the st vli 54' lll) . a rack 61 (see Figs. 4 and V5).

\ this cut away both styli into a neutral position, or otherwise into a position where the record cylinder can be placed on or taken olf of the spindle without being brought into conta-ct with the styli (such contact being likely to injure them) and the record cylinder moved transversely ofthe machine.

The arm 42 of 'the carriage 40 is bifurcated at its lower end to form the arms 59, which are disposed on opposite sides of a rod secured in the standards L-M. The upper surface of this rod is provided with It will be understood that the. purpose of the arms 59 and vrod 60, leaving out of consideration the rack 61 on the top-of the rod, is to limit the movement of the sound box 43 in both directions, the only movement which is permitted being the play between the arms 59 and the rod 60, which is very small. The upper orinner portion of arm 4Zy is cut away centrally, as at 42a, to accommodate the releasable drive connection between the carriage and shaft Z. Communicating with ortion, is a vertical slot 62, in which is sli ably mounted a pin 63, the

upper portion of which is forked and' formed as a threaded nut 64, and is normally pressed upwardly by the spring 65 in the lower end of slot 62, into contact with a thread 66 on the shaft Z (see Figs. 7 and 8). The second spring 70, encircling the pin 63, also presses the later upwardly. The carriage being free to move longitudinally of the tube 39, the rotating of the shaft Z effects a movement of the carriage longitudinally from left toright, or otherwise from left to right along the record cylinder.

The cross piece 68 of the forked pin 63, preferably has its top 69 shaped like an inverted V. On the lower end Iof the lever 48, is a V-shaped projection or cam 48a, which cooperates with the cross piece 68. When the lever moves from the position shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 2, to that shown in Fig. 6, the projection on the lever engages the cross piece on the pin 63, and the latter is moved downward, thus moving the nut on pin 63 out of engagement with the thread 66 on shaft\Z, at which time the carriage can be moved',longitudinally of the tube 39, in either direction. The projection 48L is so disposed with reference to the lever 48, as to cause it to depress the pin 63 when the cam57 on pawl 57 has raised the styli from the record cylinder.

Mounted on the top of the carriage 40, in a position adjacent the lever 48, is an upwardly projecting arm 71. This arm occupies a fixed position and serves a double purpose. First, as a guide for the lever 48 in moving from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 2, or conversely; and second, when the lever 48 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6, t0 enable the 40.V On the upper end of these rods are keys 77-78, marked respectively B space and F space in the drawings, meaning, back space, forward space. Pivoted to the lower end of the rods 72-7 3 are pawls 7 9-80, which pawls are adapted to eooperate at their lower'ends with the rack teeth 61 in the upper side of the rod 60.

It will be observed by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, that the points of the pawls 79 and 8() are not spaced at an equal distance from the sides of the arm 42 of the carriage the -point of pawl 79 being nearest to the carriage and the point of pawl 80 farthest away, while the point or nose of pawl 80 is in normal position disposed more nearly vertically of its pivot point than the point of pawl 79. By reason of this arrangement, the movement of the rod 73, acting through the pawl 80, produces a' quick forward movement, and the depression of the rod 72 and throw of the pawl 79, a slower backward movement. The rods 72-73 are each adapted to operatively engage a transverse bar 81, which coacts with a laterally projecting pin 82 rigidly connected to pins 63 and 68, the'bar 81 havinga detent finger 81, which engages the upper side of the pin 82.` Thus, when either rod 72 or 73 is pushed downward, the pins 63 and 68 are also pushed downward, which releases the carriage from the driving shaft Z, and permits movement of thecarriage forward and backward under the action of the pawls 79-80, depending upon which of the rods 72-73 is actuated. The engagement between the rods 72-73 and transverse bar 81 is provided by means of pins or Studs 72-73",

lwhich project over arms SUL-81, on the ends of bar 81, said studs being pivoted to the arm 42 of the carriage.

The rods 72-73 are normally pushed upward by the springs 65` and 70 acting through the pin 82, detent 81"' and transverse bar 81, the' spring 75 normally exerting no upward )ressureupon the rods 72- 73. When the rey 77 is depressed, the rod 72 is forced downward and pressure is exerted on the left hand end of the spring through the` pins 74, thereby rocking the spring' and causing its right hand end to exert an upward pressure upon the pin 74 of the rod 73, thereby holding the rod 73 in an upward position and the pawl 80 out the propelling action of the pawls 79-80 for the carriage in opposite directions, isV

rendered independent. l y 'Projecting upward from the rear arm 59 ofthe'biu-rcatedlower end of arm 42 of the carriage 40, is a plate 83, and located between this plate' and the arm 42 is the: lat twisted strip.V, which strip is roundY at its` ends and is rotatably mounted in the standards L M The space between the plate 83 vand the arm 42 is substantially the same as the thickness of the strip V.V Connected to the right hand endvof the strip V (consideri the-machine. as viewed in Fi 3 and-4 is the bent arm U, before reterred to, which is adapted, when the strip` V is rotated, to swing into and out of the slot T in the standard M. The rotation of the strip-Vis effected by the movement of the carr1age40, the twist in the strip being located near the left hand end thereof. It will be apparent, thatas the carriage'moves v.to the left and engages the twist in the strip, the latter will be caused to rotate. When the carriage is at the right of the frame, the arm U is in the position shown in dotted lines on Fig. 6. As the carriage moves vfrom the right of the frame to the left, the

-arm U is moved into the position shown in full lines on Fig. 6, in which it projects acrossvthe end of the record cylinder. When the arm U is in this position, the record cylinder 37 cannot be removed ronr the supporting spindle, as the arm U prevents the longitudinal movement to the right of the record cylinder, and hence danger of injury to the Styli, or by the styli to the surface of the record cylinder, through moving .the record across the styli, is prevented. When the carriage is in the position at the left of the machine, and with the lever 48 in the position shown in Fig. 6, the Styli are in the neutral position' and the arm U has moved up into the slot T. While it is preferred .that the record be removed when the lever 48 is in neutral position and the carriage member at the left, it is clear Vthat the record may be removed with the Styli in the recording or reproducing position, provided the carriage member is at the left. The record cylinder can now be removed from the spindle without injury to the'styli or record." I do not limit myselfin any wise to the mechanism shown :fol:` moving the arm That shown is cheap construction; but other means, controlled by the movement of the carriage or otherwise, may be used.

Mounted rigidly on the left hand side of thecarriage 40, is a bracket 85 ,(see Figs.V

3, 4 and 6,), and suitably supported in this bracket are three plunger keys 86. This the rodA lel to the are provi ed Vwith notation plates 87, marked respectively Wire, Listen, Error, and the bottoms of the keys have mounted thereon, dies bearing similar notations. The dies` are provided with pointed endsdrbe'aring arrows, and the Adies are ar.- Aranged so that the arrow ends are congregated to aA point, so that the with the carriage in any. position, whichever key is struck will indicate that position. Each of the keysis arranged Vto Abe normally pressed upward by means of a, spring as shown at 88, Fig. 4,

.which encircles the stem of the key and bearsbetween ashoulde'r on the latter and the bottom of the-socket ,8,8a in which'the key is guided. Locatedunder the keys is-an inked ribbon 89. The k s a whole are mounted over the recessed-platefP. `Situated in the bottomof this plat,`f'is-a strip of felt'or other'resilient material 90, upon which are vbracket extends forwardly above and paral.

plate P. The `tops of these keys placed the strips of paper Q, before re- V i erred to,

Mounted on the carriage 40 and project-` veo ing over the scale S, is av pointer 91, which box. As the keys 86 are offsetv to the left of the styli the scale R on the correction strips is similarly offset -rom the scale S on the carriage V40, so as to cause the notations' upon the strip (as shown at the left of Fig. 3,) the word .lVire. This wordis oonnected to a number on the scale, which indicates the position of the pointer at th'e time the key was depressed. ln case the parts were in the position shown in thedrawing, the word flVire would point to 28, which corresponds to the numeral over which the pointer 91 lies at the time. When the record cylinder is placed in the reproducing position. the reproducing operator has the strip in front of him, and when the pointer reaches the number on the scale S, as for instance 5,the operator knows from the indication on'the paper Q, that a message to be sent bytelegrapli is about to be repeated; or when the pointer hasreached the number 7 Aon the scale S, that an error was made in the is in alinement with the .styli on the sound arranged to give any suitable indication. lt will be understood that when the record cylinder is removed from the machine, a strip Q corresponding to such record is simultaneously removed and placed within the cylinder.

I do not limit myself to the use of keys for makingr notations on the strip Q. It would be possible to substitute for keys, various contrivances, such for instance as a wheel or a series of wheels as used in dating stamps and similar apparatus, such wheels adapted to rotate to bring different notations into position and to print the notations. I have not illustrated any such construction in the drawings, as such devices are old and are well known in the art of notation, dating and time stamps. Any suitable means may be employed'for insuring the proper relative positioning of the scales R and S. In the present instance the scale R has a certain fixed position on the strip Q, and the latter is ofa length to 'just iit in the recess in the plate I. A thumb notch 71 may be cut in the wall of the recess in the plate P, for the removal of the correction slips therefrom, and I prefer to locate such thumb notch in position to be covered by the carriage when at the rightv hand end of its travel. y

Referring now to Figs. 9, l0 and 11, there is illustrated a resistance plug 9 2. This plug, in its construction presents no point of novelty.' The plug is arranged to be used with direct or alternating current. In Fig. l1 the voltage of the current is indicatedas 110, 210, 220. The indications D. A. stand for direct current and"alternating current respectively. Assuming that the machine is to be used with a definite voltage, lthe resistance plug is adjusted by means of the screw 93 which interposes the required resistance between the source of current land the machine, and is then locked at this point. 94 represents a threaded plug, by means of which the device is fastened to the source of current, as for instance a lighting fixture,

'and 95 the wires leading to the motor in the machine (see Fig. 2). I prefer to use such a resistance plug, interposed between the machine and the source of current, and located externally of the machine, and for the season that` the intel-position of resistance in a circuit is apt to create heat, which heat acts detrimentally on the motor mechanism of the machine, where the resistance isintroduced into the box containing the motor.

The operation of my improved device is as follows: The carriage 40 is carried to the extreme left of the machine, and through the lever 48 the Styli are brought into a neutra-l position. The record cylinder is then placed on the mandrel -carried by the spindle Y, after which the lever is moved to bring the recording stylus into position over pressed.

the cylinder. The motor is now started by pushing the button marked On7 of the switch `F. The motor then communicates motion to the spindle Y, and through the.

6, and the record cylinder can'thembe removed; or if it is desired to reproduce the record on the cylinder, the lever 48 is shifted to bring the reproducing stylus into operation, whereupon the sounds previously re corded upon the record willbe reproduced. In case, during the operation of recording, it is desired to move the carriage to the left or to the right, the keys 77 or 78 (as the case may be) are depressed, until the degree of movement in either direction required, has been obtained. -In case it is desired to make a notation for the operator who will reproduce, one or more of the keys 8G are de- The sounds in recording and reproducing, are conveyed through the mouth piece 53 to or from the diaphragm 50.

In the foregoing description, I have not given any details `of the operation of the sound recording and reproducing mechanism. I would point out, however, that the vpart called the sound box 43 has no func' tion in recording or reproducing sound, but acts merely as a-support for the tube 52, its mouth piece 53 and the diaphragm V50; that such so-called sound box has no gravital action towards t-he record cylinder, its action being limited to a sliding movement at an inclined angle to and from the supporting frame; that the recording and reproducing` of sounds are effecteds through the diap ragm and the styli, de' ending upon which styli is in relation at tie time with the record' cylinder; that the diaphragm is moved by gravity towards the record cylinder and by its weight presses one or the other stylus into conta-ct with the record cylinder, depending upon the position of the diaphragm at the time it is influenced by the action of the lever 48, and further, Vthat the weight of the diaphragm and the pressure exerted upon thestyli, is the same whether the recording or the reproducing stylus is in contact with the record.

Having thus described my invention, I claim.

1. In a machine of the class described, a record cylinder, lneans for supporting and rotating said cylinder, a movable carriage by which said cylinder is moved to any deiso sired position', a sound reproducing-stylus, a back-spacer in conjunction with said carriage, whereby said carriagegmay be moved backward and any desired part of the record repeated, anda forward spacer in conjunction with saidl carriage whereby said carriage may be moved forward and any desired part of the record omitted.V

2. In a machine for reproduciiig sound, a record cylinder, means for supporting and rotating said cylinder, a movable carriage by which said cylinder is moved to any desired position, a sound reproducing stylus, a back-spacer in conjunction with said carriage, whereby said, carriage may be moved backward and any desired part of the record repeated, a forward spacer in conjunction with .said carriage whereby said carriage may be moved forward and any desired part of the record omitted, and means for moving said stylus out of contact with said record when either the back-spacer or the forward spacer are used. Y

3'.In a machine of the class described, a back-spacer, a pawl pivoted tothe lower end of said back spacer, a forward spacer, and a pawl pivoted tov the lower end ofsaid forward spacer, the point of the pawl on said forward spacer being farther away from-the carriage than the point of the pawl of said back-spacer, whereby when' the forward spacer keyis pressed the carriage is given a quicker forward movement than the backward movement given by pressmg the back spacer key.

4. In a sound recording and reproducing I machine, the combination with a sound rec- `ord cylinder, of a device for supporting and rotating said record cylinder, and means whereby both the record cylinder and its supporting and rotating device may be given longitudinal movement with respect to one another to free the cylinder from the supporting and rotating device.

5. Ina sound recording and ,reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record cylinder, of a tapered mandrel adapted to support and rotate said record cylinder, and means whereby said' mandrel may be longitudinally moved toward its large end and the record cylinder moved longitudinally toward the small end of the mandrel to free the record cylinder from the mandrel.

6. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record cylinder, of a mandrel forsupporting and rotating said record cylinder, said mandrel comprising a plurality of spaced rods, a disc against which one end of the record cylinder abuts, and means acting through said rods adapted to cause the disc. to move the record cylinder longitudinally to free it from the mandrel.

7 In a sound recording and reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record cylinder,of a mandrel,` for Supporting and rot-ating said record cylinder, saidmandrel comprising a plurality of spaced rods inclined to the axis of` the mandrel, a disc against which Vone endiof the record cylinder abuts, and means acting through said rods adapted toause the disc to move the record cylinder 'longitudinally to free tit fromtherods. 8. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record cylinder, of a mandrel for supporting and`rotating said record cylinder, said mandrel comprising a plurality of spaced rods inclined to the axis of the mandrel, a disc against which one end of the record cylinder abuts, and means acting ythrough said rods adapted to cause the disc to move the record cylinder longitudinallyl tofree it from the rods, said means includin cranks engaged at onev en by the rods and engaging the said discs at their opposite ends.

9. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record cylinder, of a tapered mandrel adapted to support and rotate said record cylinder,

and pivoted 'members' whereby said record` `cylinder may be moved longitudinally toward the small endA of` Said mandrel, and

means disposed coaxially of the mandrel for ffecting theoperation of the pivotedmemers.

10. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, the combinationA with a sound recaA series of bellv ord cylinder, of a mandrel for supporting y y and rotating said record cylinder, said mandrel comprising a series of rods inclined to the axis of the cylinder, a member engaging the rods adjacent the ends thereof which approach the axis of the mandrel, such member being adapted toimpart longitudinal movement to said rods, bell-cranks pivoted adjacent the opposite ends of the rods, a slidably mounted disc against `which one end0f the'record cylinder abuts, one end of said bell-cranks engaging the said disc and the opposite end engaging said rods whereby movement is imparted to the discrin an 'opposite direction to the direction of movement of the rods.

11. In a'sound recordingfa'ndreproducing machine, the combination with asound record cylinder, of a mandrel for supporting and rotating said record cylinder` said mandrel including a s indle, a plate fixed thereon at one end of tiie mandrel` a disc slidable on 'the spindle, a spring'normally pressin said disc against the plate. a series of belcranks pivoted to said plate and adapted t'o bear at one end against said disc, a series of inclined rods adapted to be engaged at one end by the other ends of said bell-cranks, and a manually operable member slidable on the spindle and adapted to engage the ing' in conjunction with said beziring and opposite ends of said rods. spindle to prev'ent longitudinal vibration of 12. In a sound recording and reproducing the spindle. machine, the combination of :i sound record In testimony whereof I alix my signa- 5 cylinder, a mandrel on which said recori ture, in the presence of two witnesses.

e linder is su) orted a siindle on whici Y Y sid mandrel ispmounted, ineens for rotat- FANIX Dowbp ing said spindle, a bearing for one end of witnesses said spindle, the opposite end thereof being HELEN E. KoELsCH, 10 unsupported, and a resilient device operat- HARRY TERHUNE. 

